AerialServices
Aerial Services, Inc. is a 1967-founded, Woman-Owned geospatial firm in Cedar Falls, Iowa, providing LiDAR, orthoimagery, photogrammetric mapping, and GIS services to federal/state agencies and utilities via fixed-wing, helicopter, and UAS platforms under GSA and state contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersCedar Falls, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AerialServices does
Aerial Services, Inc. (ASI) is a privately held, Woman-Owned Small Business founded in 1967 and headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with aircraft operations based at Waterloo Regional Airport. The company provides customized aerial geospatial solutions encompassing LiDAR acquisition and processing, orthoimagery, oblique imagery, photogrammetric mapping, corridor surveys, and GIS services for government and private-sector clients. Core technical capability rests on a multi-platform fleet (fixed-wing Cessna T206 and Piper Navajo, Bell 206 helicopter, and UAS platforms) equipped with Riegl and Leica LiDAR sensors and Vexcel/PhaseOne/Leica large-format cameras, supplemented by the proprietary Snyp'Air helicopter-mounted dual LiDAR/PhaseOne corridor collection system.
The company's revenue model is anchored in professional services delivered via custom project contracts, supplemented by recurring government contracting vehicles (GSA MAS Schedule 47QTCA18D004Z, Missouri and Minnesota statewide contracts) and a small subscription-based web hosting revenue stream for geospatial data delivery. Primary customers are federal agencies (USDA, USGS 3DEP, Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, National Park Service), with secondary exposure to electric utilities, telecommunications (fiber/broadback deployment), engineering and architecture firms, transportation, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, forestry, and agriculture. Customer acquisition runs through enterprise field sales, government contracting vehicles, industry association presence (MAPPS, ASPRS, GIS Certification Institute, NBAA), and a recently launched self-serve quote portal. In February 2024 the company transitioned to new ownership under Shelby Eick (Owner/President, Civil Engineer) and Nathan Eick (CEO, commercial pilot and mechanical engineer), the first major leadership change in the company's 58-year history.
AerialServices firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AerialServices
- Legal name
- Aerial Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://aerialservicesinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aerial Services, Inc. is a 1967-founded, Woman-Owned geospatial firm in Cedar Falls, Iowa, providing LiDAR, orthoimagery, photogrammetric mapping, and GIS services to federal/state agencies and utilities via fixed-wing, helicopter, and UAS platforms under GSA and state contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AerialServices industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerial Geospatial Mapping Services
- NAICS
- Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)
Keywords
Where AerialServices is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AerialServices business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aerial Survey and Geospatial Data Services: Custom project-based acquisition and processing of aerial LiDAR, orthoimagery, obliques, and photogrammetric mapping for government and private sector clients. Revenue is generated through project contracts with pricing based on project scope, geographic area, and data requirements.
- Government Contracting: Revenue through established contracting vehicles including GSA MAS Schedule (47QTCA18D004Z), Missouri Statewide Photogrammetric Mapping Contract, and Minnesota Statewide Aerial Imagery and Lidar Contract.
- Web Hosting Services: Web hosting services provided to planning and engineering firms for geospatial data hosting and delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Project-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
AerialServices product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aerial Services Inc. provides aerial geospatial data acquisition and processing services including LiDAR scanning, digital orthoimagery, GIS development, corridor mapping, UAS/drone surveys, and pre-design and construction basemaps. The firm flies fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned systems to collect imagery and point-cloud data for federal, state, and local government agencies, utilities, telecom carriers, engineering firms, and natural-resources clients. Deliverables include classified LiDAR, orthomosaics, NDVI layers, and GIS-ready datasets for infrastructure, environmental, and land-management projects.
Product overview
Aerial Services provides a comprehensive geospatial solutions platform combining aerial data acquisition with processing and analysis services. The core offering consists of aerial acquisition using multiple platforms (fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and UAS) equipped with LiDAR sensors and digital cameras, supported by processing services for orthoimagery, planimetric mapping, topographic contours, and vegetation analysis. Key products include LiDAR Acquisition and Processing, Orthoimagery, Corridor Services, UAS Solutions, and Pre-design/Construction Basemaps. Add-on analytical services include Vegetation Analysis and NDVI Analysis. The company operates as a Woman-Owned Small Business serving government and private sector clients across utilities, telecommunications, engineering, forestry, mining, oil and gas, transportation, and renewable energy markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aerial Acquisition Multi-platform aerial data acquisition service using fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and UAS to capture imagery and LiDAR for government agencies and private-sector clients nationwide. Suitable for large-area mapping, infrastructure projects, and specialized sites.
- Aerial LiDAR Acquisition and Processing Aerial LiDAR data acquisition and post-processing service delivering classified point clouds, terrain models, and derivative products for engineering, infrastructure, environmental, and corridor projects. Captured with fixed-wing and helicopter-mounted LiDAR sensors.
- Digital Orthoimagery Large-format aerial image acquisition and orthorectification service producing high-resolution orthomosaics for mapping, planning, and visualization needs of government and private clients.
- Corridor Services Specialized aerial mapping service for linear infrastructure corridors (transmission lines, pipelines, transportation routes, rights-of-way) using the proprietary Snyp'Air corridor workflow and multi-platform LiDAR and imaging.
- GIS Solutions GIS data development, integration, and analysis service that turns aerial-acquired imagery and LiDAR into GIS-ready layers and deliverables for agency and enterprise clients.
- Pre-design and Construction Basemaps Topographic and planimetric basemap production service that combines LiDAR and orthoimagery into design-ready mapping products for engineering, architecture, and construction-phase projects.
- UAS Solutions Unmanned Aerial System (drone) acquisition service for small-area, low-altitude, and specialized-site projects where manned aircraft are impractical or cost-prohibitive.
Quantifiable outcome
- Collected and produced over 60,000 square miles of various quality levels of data across the nation as USGS 3DEP prime contractor
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AerialServices
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments10 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AerialServices technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
AerialServices partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ESRIcoreBronze level ESRI Business Partner. Aerial Services develops web and mobile geospatial solutions using ESRI platforms including ArcGIS Pro and customized StoryMaps. ASI is a proud ESRI business partner with their GIS solutions seamlessly integrating into any GIS platform.
- MAPPSminorProfessional association of firms in the surveying, photogrammetry, and mapping sciences. Membership provides industry networking, advocacy, and professional development.
- ASPRSminorAmerican Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing - professional organization advancing the photogrammetry and remote sensing profession. ASPRS certification is valued in the industry.
- GIS Certification InstituteminorOrganization that certifies GIS professionals. Aerial Services employs GISPs (GIS Professionals) who hold this certification.
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)minorTrade association for the aviation industry. Membership supports Aerial Services' fixed-wing and helicopter operations.
- General Services Administration (GSA)coreGSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract holder (47QTCA18D004Z). Enables federal government agencies to procure geospatial services through pre-established contract terms.
- State of MissouricoreMissouri Statewide Photogrammetric Mapping Product and Services Contract holder. State agencies can procure mapping services through this vehicle.
- State of MinnesotacoreMinnesota Statewide Aerial Imagery and Lidar Contract holder. State agencies can procure imagery and lidar services through this vehicle.
- RieglcoreAerial Services uses Riegl lidar sensors for high-speed and incredibly accurate elevation data collection at wide variety of densities on fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft. Riegl systems are used in the Snyp'Air corridor system.
- VexcelcoreAerial Services uses Vexcel Ultram large format cameras providing crisp orthoimagery at multiple GSDs and spectrums (RGB, NIR).
- Leica GeosystemscoreAerial Services uses Leica digital camera systems and lidar systems for large format aerial photography and mapping. Leica systems provide maximum coverage and flexibility in collection.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AerialServices competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NV5 Global: Public technical services firm with a sizable geospatial division offering aerial surveying, LiDAR, and GIS services to federal, state, and infrastructure clients — competes head-to-head for USGS, USACE, and DOT mapping contracts.
- Fugro: Global geo-data specialist with significant US aerial surveying, LiDAR, and infrastructure mapping operations — broad incumbent that competes on large federal and utility corridor programs where ASI also bids.
- Woolpert: Large US-based architecture, engineering, and geospatial firm that provides aerial LiDAR, orthoimagery, and mapping services as part of a much broader geospatial and A&E portfolio — directly overlapping ASI's federal, utility, and A&E client base.
- EagleView (Pictometry): Aerial imagery and property data provider with nationwide oblique and orthoimagery capture programs for government and insurance markets — a broad incumbent that competes in orthoimagery and property-scale aerial data where ASI also operates.
Direct peers
- Aero-Graphics: Regional aerial surveying and LiDAR firm serving federal, state, and private clients in the western US with multi-platform sensor operations — a closely matched direct competitor to ASI in scale, fleet, and service mix.
- Kucera International: Aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR services firm serving federal, state, and private engineering clients with fixed-wing and helicopter collection — direct comparable in platform mix and project types to ASI.
- Merrick & Company: Employee-owned engineering and geospatial firm providing aerial LiDAR, photogrammetry, and remote sensing for federal, state, and utility clients — competes directly with ASI on corridor mapping and federal geospatial contracts.
- Surdex Corporation: Mid-sized US aerial surveying firm operating its own fixed-wing fleet with LiDAR and large-format camera sensors for federal and state mapping programs — closely comparable in scale, capability, and customer mix to ASI.
- Quantum Spatial (NV5 Geospatial): An aerial surveying and geospatial firm now operating within NV5, historically a leading federal LiDAR and orthoimagery prime contractor under the USGS 3DEP program — direct overlap with ASI's core federal aerial acquisition offering.
- Ayres Associates: Engineering and aerial mapping firm providing LiDAR, orthoimagery, and GIS to DOTs, counties, and federal agencies — overlaps directly with ASI's transportation and government client segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AerialServices social profiles
Digital presenceAerialServices compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
AerialServices financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AerialServices leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AerialServices funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AerialServices M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AerialServices
What does AerialServices do?
Aerial Services Inc. provides aerial geospatial data acquisition and processing services including LiDAR scanning, digital orthoimagery, GIS development, corridor mapping, UAS/drone surveys, and pre-design and construction basemaps. The firm flies fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned systems to collect imagery and point-cloud data for federal, state, and local government agencies, utilities, telecom carriers, engineering firms, and natural-resources clients. Deliverables include classified LiDAR, orthomosaics, NDVI layers, and GIS-ready datasets for infrastructure, environmental, and land-management projects.
Is AerialServices a public or private company?
AerialServices is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AerialServices founded?
AerialServices was founded in 1967. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AerialServices based?
AerialServices is headquartered in Cedar Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does AerialServices make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aerial Survey and Geospatial Data Services are the primary driver. The others are government Contracting and web Hosting Services.
Who are AerialServices's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NV5 Global, Fugro, Woolpert and EagleView (Pictometry). Direct peers are Aero-Graphics, Kucera International, Merrick & Company, Surdex Corporation, Quantum Spatial (NV5 Geospatial) and Ayres Associates.
Does AerialServices have an API?
No public API is recorded for AerialServices.
What industry is AerialServices in?
AerialServices's product category is Aerial Geospatial Mapping Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAM, Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541370.